Definition: Heresy
Etymology
From Middle English heresie, from Old French heresie (modern hérésie), from Latin haeresis, from Ancient Greek αἵÏεσις or haÃresis (choice, system of principles), from αἱÏÎομαι or hairéomai (to take for oneself, to choose), the middle voice of αἱÏÎω or hairéŠ(to take), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser-; (theft, raid), Ancient Greek στεÏÎω or steréŠ(to deprive of).
Noun
heresy (countable and uncountable, plural heresies)
- A doctrine held by a member of a religion at variance with established religious beliefs.
- A controversial or unorthodox opinion held by a member of a group, as in politics, philosophy, or science.
Related terms
- heretic
- heretical
Credits
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